Nevisian residing in USA gives back to homeland’s Alexandra Hospital

Left to right, Coleen June Howell-Emanuel hands over gift of assorted breathing masks to Junior Minister of Health the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams.

Coleen June Howell-Emanuel hands over gift of assorted breathing masks to Junior Minister of Health the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams.The assortment of breathing masks donated to the Alexandra Hospital by Coleen June Howell-Emanuel, a Nevisian residing in the United States of America.

Nevisian residing in USA gives back to homeland’s Alexandra Hospital

From the NIA

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – Patients seeking breathing treatments at the Alexandra Hospital will have a better experience thanks to a gift of an assortment of breathing masks for adults and children donated June 5 by a Nevisian who resides in the United States of America.

Coleen June Howell-Emanuel, who was accompanied by her sister, Tessa Howell, presented the gift to Junior Minister of Health the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams at her Nevis Island Administration (NIA) office in Charlestown and explained why she was moved to make the donation.

“I had to go to the [Alexandra] Hospital to the emergency room and I was able to get breathing treatments there and it made me feel so much better,” she said. “I thank the nurses and the physician that treated me during that period of time. One of the things I did once I got back was to make sure I went ahead and purchase some masks so that anyone, children or adults, going to the hospital would be able to get the breathing treatments. I hope that this will help, and as we go forward, any further assistance I’d be happy to assist.”

In response, Brandy-Williams thanked Howell-Emanuel for the gift on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the NIA. She described the donation as a worthwhile gesture and urged others to do the same. “I would like to thank you for this very worthwhile gesture,” she said. “I am happy that you have come forward to be our newest partner, in terms of delivering health care on Nevis. At the Ministry of Health, we want to make health care everyone’s business, and so, we do appreciate what you have done and we encourage other persons to come on board as we try to deliver top notch health care service in Nevis.”

The minister also spoke of the new wing under construction at the hospital and welcomed future donations from all. “You are aware that we are in the process of constructing the new diagnostic wing and so, going forward, we would encourage [anyone] to make other commitments, other donations because we have to outfit that new wing once it has been completed. We thank you very much for this initial gift and we look forward to other gifts and greater gifts in the ensuing years.”

Nichole Slack-Liburd, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health who chaired the handing-over ceremony, also expressed gratitude to Howell-Emanuel, saying the business of health was not only that of the ministry, but also of everyone in the society.